Page 42 of Rascal

“Fine. You got my address?”

“Yes, Hallie. I’ll see you soon,” Lieutenant Richards responded and cut the call. I headed outside to the yard to tell King what was happening.

Chapter Nine.

Hallie

Lieutenant Richards kept his word and met me half an hour later. “This will be a lengthy drive,” he remarked as I slung my case in the back.

“I packed an overnight bag,” I replied, climbing into the passenger seat. “Head for the airport; I booked two flights.”

“I don’t have permission to charge that,” Lieutenant Richards stated.

“Good job I’m not asking for the money. Lieutenant Richards, we can either sit in a car making awkward conversation for hours or fly there and cut that shit out.”

“Fair point,” Lieutenant Richards acknowledged and headed toward the airport. “Miss Milton—”

“Hallie.”

“Hallie, you said this person contacted you out of the blue?”

“Yes. And I don’t trust the cops, and you’re about the closest I do,” I replied.

“Thanks,” he quipped sarcastically.

I smirked. “You’re welcome, Lieutenant Richards.”

“Jonas. If we’re sharing a flight, call me Jonas.”

I laughed, and he smiled briefly.

“Look at us now, bonding!” I teased, and he grunted.

“You should know that Hawthorne will probably be cleared of most of the charges, except prejudice.”

“I expected that. Cops stick together,” I replied.

“No. I want you to understand. He’s paid heavily for his actions, but apart from showing clear bias, he did nothing wrong.”

“Fine. As long as Hawthorne is aware of his wrongdoing.”

“I have to admit, I don’t think I’d have done much different.”

“Despite me being released and not guilty?”

“You were released because evidence was suppressed. Didn’t make you innocent,” Jonas challenged.

“No, but the evidence that’d been hidden did,” I retorted.

“Very true. Hawthorne is going to receive a clear smack on his knuckles, a reprimand, and a chewing out. He’s lost three weeks’ pay, he’ll get a write up and the department will pay hefty compensation to you.”

“Somehow I want more,” I replied, and Jonas laughed.

“You won’t get it. Hawthorne is a hero. He is a decent man, but protective of those he cares about. He is connected to Hellfire MC. Hawthorne looked out for them, and it came back to bite his ass. But if you ask him, he’d do it again.”

“Then that guy is an idiot,” I said, and Jonas nodded.

“Yup, but a loyal one. And that carries weight around here, especially after the war. Hawthorne could easily have cashed in some favours and buried this. Instead, he’s accepted it. Shows what type of man he is.”